Lighter rain, flood dangers follow record downpour

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Raleigh, N.C. — Tropical Storm Fay's remnants swirled through North Carolina, setting off a second round of showers early Thursday afternoon.

"The low-pressure system really starts to fizzle out over the next 24 hours," WRAL Meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said. "We're still dealing with an unstable air mass, but the craziness of yesterday is unlikely to repeat."

The National Weather Service warns that with the rain-soaked ground, any storms that develop could set off flooding.

Chatham County is under a flood warning until Friday morning. Around 10:30 a.m., the Haw River was running at 13.6 feet, more than 2 feet above flood stage.

A band of storms dumping as much as 2 inches per hour around Wilson prompted an urban and small-stream flood advisory for Wilson and southeastern Edgecombe counties but that advisory was canceled Thursday afternoon.

"Don't go out on the Haw River unless you're an expert kayaker," Gardner said. "Don't go out in your canoe, or they'll be after you to rescue you."

A fallen tree forced police to restrict southbound traffic to one lane and divert from northbound vehicles from North Roxboro Street/U.S. Highway 501 during the morning commute. Urban Forestry crews took several hours to remove the tree.

Teresa Poole said she was driving a black Kia Optima she bought just two months ago when she saw the tree falling towards her.

"I had just pulled out of the community on my way to work, and as I was going down the road, there was a tree, and I was in it," Poole said.

Poole said she swerved and managed to get herself out of the tangled wreck. The tree dented the entire length of the car and cracked the front windshield, and Poole suffered minor injuries and got a neck brace.

But Poole said she's grateful to be alive – and able to make it to her wedding in three weeks.

On Glenoaks Drive in Durham, officials reported that flooding had washed a 1,000-gallon liquefied natural gas tank off its base at a home and into woods, and it was leaking Thursday morning.

On Friday, rainfall will be more isolated as the remnants of Fay move out. A cold front will move in on Saturday, creating a chance for afternoon storms.

Record rainfall floods streets, homes

Raleigh set a new record for rainfall on Aug. 27, with 3.43 inches falling to top the 13-year-old mark.

Heavy rain fell west of Interstate 95 over the past 48 hours: more than 5 inches in Chapel Hill, nearly 4.5 inches in Burlington, and more than 3 inches in Raleigh, Fayetteville and Oxford.

Closer to and east of the I-95 corridor, though, the rainfall totals are dramatically different: approximately 0.60 inches for Rocky Mount and Roanoke Rapids, up to 1.01 inches in Goldsboro.

All that rain had authorities trying to keep drivers off flooded roads and homeowners trying to clean up flooded houses on Wednesday night, particularly in Durham, Lee and Chatham counties.

In north Durham County, a lake overflowed, flooded streets and wound its way into front yards along Mason Road.

"We literally have lakefront property right now, about 30 feet from our houses, and we're in a no-flood zone," homeowner Wanda Guthrie said. "We have been here 11 years, and we have never, ever, ever seen what's going on now."

Six inches of water crept into David Dickson's house on Farrell Road – soaking newly installed carpet. Volunteers with the Redwood Fire Department helped him dry things out.

"The sewer got stopped up and messed up everything I got in the house," Dickson said.

Storms downed at least a dozen trees along a quarter-mile stretch in Silk Hope, Chatham County fire officials said.

Rain came down fast in Lee County, too quickly for the ground to absorb. Ramps from U.S. Highway 1 onto U.S. Highway 15-501 flooded, and crews diverted drivers away from the trouble spot.

Little Buffalo Creek, which locals say a person can normally jump across, widened and rose, nearly touching the bottom of a bridge at Amos Bridges Road in Sanford.

Further down Amos Bridges, a swollen lake expanded over the roadway, prompting John Kroes to abandon his car. Kroes said he deemed it safer to walk home from work, wading through the water.

Franklin County faced a different challenge – three waste water spills to which the heavy rain contributed.

Authorities said 9,500 gallons of untreated waste water was lost during the spills at the Franklinton Pump Station, Cedar Creek and Lane Store roads, and the Industrial Park Pump Station. Crews have repaired the sites, and started clean-up efforts. They remain on site to monitor the situation through the rain event.

Western counties get inundated

Gov. Mike Easley planned to leave the Democratic National Convention in Denver Thursday morning to view storm damage in harder-hit western counties. Easley planned to hold a news conference in Cabarrus County.

Cabarrus officials declared a state of emergency after storms damaged 60 structures and made 11 roads impassable. About 100 home in Mecklenburg County were flooded, some with as much as 5 feet of water, said county emergency management director Wayne Broome.

State Department of Transportation crews have been working since Tuesday to clear rock and mudslides in western North Carolina. The DOT also said off ramps of Interstate 85 at U.S. 52 in Salisbury were closed Wednesday by flooding.

Charlotte got 8.65 inches of rain Monday through Wednesday. Tuesday's accumulation of 5.35 inches shattered a record set in 1891.

In the drought-parched mountains, Asheville received 5.36 inches of rain during the same time period. It also set a record on Tuesday, getting 4.01 inches of rain.

FoolOnTheHillAug 28, 2008

Please note that the John Locke post was on April 5, 2008. So, jsanders point was not correct. That being said, the lake is hanging around its historical norms for this time of year. Right now, it is at 250.84, so it is only about 8 inches down from full.

ncwebguyAug 28, 2008

Maybe, just maybe, people will stop beliving anything the Art Pope/John Locke Foundation pumps out. Who needs science when you have the (made up) facts?

I was hoping for more of a "soaking" rain event, but we got waves of hard rain and flash flooding. It will help fill ground water table and lakes, but took down a lot of trees/tree limbs with it.

I *hope* the area can dry out some before the next storm remnants come through so as to not repeat Fran's tree uprooting due to soft wet soil.

piperchuckAug 28, 2008

"Y'all remember when Falls Lake was "going to be dry by this summer"? It's been at full stage (or more) since April. http://triangle.johnlocke.org/blog/?p=1924"

LOL, y'all really need to find a better, more accurate, source of information. The last day Falls was at full was July 22. As recently as yesterday it was 1.7 feet below full. So much for your source saying it's been at or above full since April!

Heel from HellAug 28, 2008

"The news stations were showing Doppler estimates of 10 inches in some areas. Anyone in those areas actually know what the correct amount was? Anyone know what Charlotte and farther west received?"

The Charlotte Disturber said that Mecklenburg received approx 11 inches, although I'm sure that varies by the location and topography. I grew up in Hickory, and the home folks said they ended up with 5-6 inches. Asheville got clobbered, but nothing like Ivan a couple of years ago...Record rainfall at Grandfather Mtn as well, I hear.

Those folks in Western NC REALLY need it (albeit not all at once) so sounds like good results all around. Be safe around those creeks today!

jsandersAug 28, 2008

Y'all remember when Falls Lake was "going to be dry by this summer"? It's been at full stage (or more) since April.http://triangle.johnlocke.org/blog/?p=1924

TheAdmiralAug 28, 2008

I think we need more flooding so that it washes away the evidence of our instant, throw away society.

HopingForABetterWorldAug 28, 2008

The news stations were showing Doppler estimates of 10 inches in some areas. Anyone in those areas actually know what the correct amount was? Anyone know what Charlotte and farther west received?

djcnty8Aug 28, 2008

All I can say is thank you for the much needed rain. I pray that no one suffered badly through the storms over the last day or two.

By late September standards, it's a little warm and humid lately and will be more so as temperatures rise to near 90 Wednesday and Thursday. However, a front due in late Thursday or early Friday should bring a...Read More

By late September standards, it's a little warm and humid lately and will be more so as temperatures rise to near 90 Wednesday and Thursday. However, a front due in late Thursday or early Friday should bring a big drop in dew points heading into the weekend. along with high temperatures in the 70s Saturday and Sunday - should seem a lot more like Fall!

By late September standards, it's a little warm and humid lately and will be more so as temperatures rise to near 90 Wednesday and Thursday. However, a front due in late Thursday or early Friday should bring a...Read More

By late September standards, it's a little warm and humid lately and will be more so as temperatures rise to near 90 Wednesday and Thursday. However, a front due in late Thursday or early Friday should bring a big drop in dew points heading into the weekend. along with high temperatures in the 70s Saturday and Sunday - should seem a lot more like Fall!

By late September standards, it's a little warm and humid lately and will be more so as temperatures rise to near 90 Wednesday and Thursday. However, a front due in late Thursday or early Friday should bring a...Read More

By late September standards, it's a little warm and humid lately and will be more so as temperatures rise to near 90 Wednesday and Thursday. However, a front due in late Thursday or early Friday should bring a big drop in dew points heading into the weekend. along with high temperatures in the 70s Saturday and Sunday - should seem a lot more like Fall!

A shallow layer of low clouds covers much of eastern NC this morning, as seen here at our Solar Farm. As we head through the day, we may see a few breaks in the clouds and perhaps a couple of partly sunny...Read More

A shallow layer of low clouds covers much of eastern NC this morning, as seen here at our Solar Farm. As we head through the day, we may see a few breaks in the clouds and perhaps a couple of partly sunny periods. It will also turn breezy, with a few isolated sprinkles or light showers possible. Better rain chances with Maria will likely be confined to the area around the sounds and Outer Banks.

A shallow layer of low clouds covers much of eastern NC this morning, as seen here at our Solar Farm. As we head through the day, we may see a few breaks in the clouds and perhaps a couple of partly sunny...Read More

A shallow layer of low clouds covers much of eastern NC this morning, as seen here at our Solar Farm. As we head through the day, we may see a few breaks in the clouds and perhaps a couple of partly sunny periods. It will also turn breezy, with a few isolated sprinkles or light showers possible. Better rain chances with Maria will likely be confined to the area around the sounds and Outer Banks.

A shallow layer of low clouds covers much of eastern NC this morning, as seen here at our Solar Farm. As we head through the day, we may see a few breaks in the clouds and perhaps a couple of partly sunny...Read More

A shallow layer of low clouds covers much of eastern NC this morning, as seen here at our Solar Farm. As we head through the day, we may see a few breaks in the clouds and perhaps a couple of partly sunny periods. It will also turn breezy, with a few isolated sprinkles or light showers possible. Better rain chances with Maria will likely be confined to the area around the sounds and Outer Banks.

The morning update on Maria's track from the National Hurricane Center continues to show the storm passing east of our state today into tomorrow, weakening a bit to tropical storm status, then turning out to sea...Read More

The morning update on Maria's track from the National Hurricane Center continues to show the storm passing east of our state today into tomorrow, weakening a bit to tropical storm status, then turning out to sea late tomorrow into early Thursday.

The morning update on Maria's track from the National Hurricane Center continues to show the storm passing east of our state today into tomorrow, weakening a bit to tropical storm status, then turning out to sea...Read More

The morning update on Maria's track from the National Hurricane Center continues to show the storm passing east of our state today into tomorrow, weakening a bit to tropical storm status, then turning out to sea late tomorrow into early Thursday.

The morning update on Maria's track from the National Hurricane Center continues to show the storm passing east of our state today into tomorrow, weakening a bit to tropical storm status, then turning out to sea...Read More

The morning update on Maria's track from the National Hurricane Center continues to show the storm passing east of our state today into tomorrow, weakening a bit to tropical storm status, then turning out to sea late tomorrow into early Thursday.

New update on Maria's position and intensity has lowered the maxiimum sustained winds to 75 mph.It continues to drift northward at about 7 mph, with the center located roughly 335 miles south-southeast of Cape...Read More

New update on Maria's position and intensity has lowered the maxiimum sustained winds to 75 mph.It continues to drift northward at about 7 mph, with the center located roughly 335 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras.

New update on Maria's position and intensity has lowered the maxiimum sustained winds to 75 mph.It continues to drift northward at about 7 mph, with the center located roughly 335 miles south-southeast of Cape...Read More

New update on Maria's position and intensity has lowered the maxiimum sustained winds to 75 mph.It continues to drift northward at about 7 mph, with the center located roughly 335 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras.

New update on Maria's position and intensity has lowered the maxiimum sustained winds to 75 mph.It continues to drift northward at about 7 mph, with the center located roughly 335 miles south-southeast of Cape...Read More

New update on Maria's position and intensity has lowered the maxiimum sustained winds to 75 mph.It continues to drift northward at about 7 mph, with the center located roughly 335 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras.

The new track for Maria this Monday morning edges a little east of yesterday's, and also shows a bit faster weakening of the storm as it passes offshore of our state later Tuesday through Wednesday night. It is...Read More

The new track for Maria this Monday morning edges a little east of yesterday's, and also shows a bit faster weakening of the storm as it passes offshore of our state later Tuesday through Wednesday night. It is passing by close enough that a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect from around Cape Lookout up to Duck.

The new track for Maria this Monday morning edges a little east of yesterday's, and also shows a bit faster weakening of the storm as it passes offshore of our state later Tuesday through Wednesday night. It is...Read More

The new track for Maria this Monday morning edges a little east of yesterday's, and also shows a bit faster weakening of the storm as it passes offshore of our state later Tuesday through Wednesday night. It is passing by close enough that a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect from around Cape Lookout up to Duck.

The new track for Maria this Monday morning edges a little east of yesterday's, and also shows a bit faster weakening of the storm as it passes offshore of our state later Tuesday through Wednesday night. It is...Read More

The new track for Maria this Monday morning edges a little east of yesterday's, and also shows a bit faster weakening of the storm as it passes offshore of our state later Tuesday through Wednesday night. It is passing by close enough that a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect from around Cape Lookout up to Duck.

We'll see some periods of cloudiness today, but also some brighter skies at times, and should start the week with dry weather. Temperatures remain on the warm side of normal, but down by aaround 2-3 degrees...Read More

We'll see some periods of cloudiness today, but also some brighter skies at times, and should start the week with dry weather. Temperatures remain on the warm side of normal, but down by aaround 2-3 degrees compared to the weekend.

We'll see some periods of cloudiness today, but also some brighter skies at times, and should start the week with dry weather. Temperatures remain on the warm side of normal, but down by aaround 2-3 degrees...Read More

We'll see some periods of cloudiness today, but also some brighter skies at times, and should start the week with dry weather. Temperatures remain on the warm side of normal, but down by aaround 2-3 degrees compared to the weekend.

We'll see some periods of cloudiness today, but also some brighter skies at times, and should start the week with dry weather. Temperatures remain on the warm side of normal, but down by aaround 2-3 degrees...Read More

We'll see some periods of cloudiness today, but also some brighter skies at times, and should start the week with dry weather. Temperatures remain on the warm side of normal, but down by aaround 2-3 degrees compared to the weekend.

JUST IN: A tropical storm watch has been issued for the coast of NC from Surf City northward to the Virgina border. A storm surge watch has been issued for the cost of NC from Cape Lookout northward to Duck.

JUST IN: A tropical storm watch has been issued for the coast of NC from Surf City northward to the Virgina border. A storm surge watch has been issued for the cost of NC from Cape Lookout northward to Duck.

JUST IN: A tropical storm watch has been issued for the coast of NC from Surf City northward to the Virgina border. A storm surge watch has been issued for the cost of NC from Cape Lookout northward to Duck.

Some info on an ISS transit that starts this evening low in the SW sky. The station will rise to 73 degrees above the WNW horizon after 3 minutes, then disappear from view as it passes into Earth's shadow.

Some info on an ISS transit that starts this evening low in the SW sky. The station will rise to 73 degrees above the WNW horizon after 3 minutes, then disappear from view as it passes into Earth's shadow.

Some info on an ISS transit that starts this evening low in the SW sky. The station will rise to 73 degrees above the WNW horizon after 3 minutes, then disappear from view as it passes into Earth's shadow.

Midday update for Maria's path doesn't show much change from the early morning projection. It's a fairly large and slow-moving storm, so even if the center locations here end up reasonably accurate, there's...Read More

Midday update for Maria's path doesn't show much change from the early morning projection. It's a fairly large and slow-moving storm, so even if the center locations here end up reasonably accurate, there's still a chance of tropical storm force winds for the Outer Banks and the vicinity of the sounds, most likely in the later Tuesday to early Thursday time frame. There are no watches in place yet, but that could change later today or tonight.

Midday update for Maria's path doesn't show much change from the early morning projection. It's a fairly large and slow-moving storm, so even if the center locations here end up reasonably accurate, there's...Read More

Midday update for Maria's path doesn't show much change from the early morning projection. It's a fairly large and slow-moving storm, so even if the center locations here end up reasonably accurate, there's still a chance of tropical storm force winds for the Outer Banks and the vicinity of the sounds, most likely in the later Tuesday to early Thursday time frame. There are no watches in place yet, but that could change later today or tonight.

Midday update for Maria's path doesn't show much change from the early morning projection. It's a fairly large and slow-moving storm, so even if the center locations here end up reasonably accurate, there's...Read More

Midday update for Maria's path doesn't show much change from the early morning projection. It's a fairly large and slow-moving storm, so even if the center locations here end up reasonably accurate, there's still a chance of tropical storm force winds for the Outer Banks and the vicinity of the sounds, most likely in the later Tuesday to early Thursday time frame. There are no watches in place yet, but that could change later today or tonight.

We should see a good deal of blue sky and sunshine today, but some upper level moisture in the outflow from Maria is also bringing some periods with streaky high cirrus clouds. The added upper-level humidity...Read More

We should see a good deal of blue sky and sunshine today, but some upper level moisture in the outflow from Maria is also bringing some periods with streaky high cirrus clouds. The added upper-level humidity could also make it easier for some high altitude planes to leave contrails behind at times.

We should see a good deal of blue sky and sunshine today, but some upper level moisture in the outflow from Maria is also bringing some periods with streaky high cirrus clouds. The added upper-level humidity...Read More

We should see a good deal of blue sky and sunshine today, but some upper level moisture in the outflow from Maria is also bringing some periods with streaky high cirrus clouds. The added upper-level humidity could also make it easier for some high altitude planes to leave contrails behind at times.

We should see a good deal of blue sky and sunshine today, but some upper level moisture in the outflow from Maria is also bringing some periods with streaky high cirrus clouds. The added upper-level humidity...Read More

We should see a good deal of blue sky and sunshine today, but some upper level moisture in the outflow from Maria is also bringing some periods with streaky high cirrus clouds. The added upper-level humidity could also make it easier for some high altitude planes to leave contrails behind at times.

The latest track for Maria shows it loitering off our coast from later Tuesday through early Thursday before being pushed east by an approaching frontal system. The shaded area corresponds to about a 60-70%...Read More

The latest track for Maria shows it loitering off our coast from later Tuesday through early Thursday before being pushed east by an approaching frontal system. The shaded area corresponds to about a 60-70% chance that the location of the storm center remains within that "fan," so there remains an outside chance for a landfall over eastern NC. Be sure to monitor Maria for any changes in the coming days.

The latest track for Maria shows it loitering off our coast from later Tuesday through early Thursday before being pushed east by an approaching frontal system. The shaded area corresponds to about a 60-70%...Read More

The latest track for Maria shows it loitering off our coast from later Tuesday through early Thursday before being pushed east by an approaching frontal system. The shaded area corresponds to about a 60-70% chance that the location of the storm center remains within that "fan," so there remains an outside chance for a landfall over eastern NC. Be sure to monitor Maria for any changes in the coming days.

The latest track for Maria shows it loitering off our coast from later Tuesday through early Thursday before being pushed east by an approaching frontal system. The shaded area corresponds to about a 60-70%...Read More

The latest track for Maria shows it loitering off our coast from later Tuesday through early Thursday before being pushed east by an approaching frontal system. The shaded area corresponds to about a 60-70% chance that the location of the storm center remains within that "fan," so there remains an outside chance for a landfall over eastern NC. Be sure to monitor Maria for any changes in the coming days.

We should see a few more high cirrus clouds at times today than yesterday, but otherwise weak high pressure should keep us bright and warmer than normal as we wrap up the weekend. The high clouds could make for...Read More

We should see a few more high cirrus clouds at times today than yesterday, but otherwise weak high pressure should keep us bright and warmer than normal as we wrap up the weekend. The high clouds could make for nice sunrise and sunset scenes, with a little luck and good timing.

We should see a few more high cirrus clouds at times today than yesterday, but otherwise weak high pressure should keep us bright and warmer than normal as we wrap up the weekend. The high clouds could make for...Read More

We should see a few more high cirrus clouds at times today than yesterday, but otherwise weak high pressure should keep us bright and warmer than normal as we wrap up the weekend. The high clouds could make for nice sunrise and sunset scenes, with a little luck and good timing.

We should see a few more high cirrus clouds at times today than yesterday, but otherwise weak high pressure should keep us bright and warmer than normal as we wrap up the weekend. The high clouds could make for...Read More

We should see a few more high cirrus clouds at times today than yesterday, but otherwise weak high pressure should keep us bright and warmer than normal as we wrap up the weekend. The high clouds could make for nice sunrise and sunset scenes, with a little luck and good timing.

Hurricane Maria will have impacts along the NC coast. Here's a look at the potential impacts late Tuesday into Thursday. The National Hurricane Center MIGHT issue a tropical storm or hurricane watch along parts...Read More

Hurricane Maria will have impacts along the NC coast. Here's a look at the potential impacts late Tuesday into Thursday. The National Hurricane Center MIGHT issue a tropical storm or hurricane watch along parts of the NC coast Sunday...

Hurricane Maria will have impacts along the NC coast. Here's a look at the potential impacts late Tuesday into Thursday. The National Hurricane Center MIGHT issue a tropical storm or hurricane watch along parts...Read More

Hurricane Maria will have impacts along the NC coast. Here's a look at the potential impacts late Tuesday into Thursday. The National Hurricane Center MIGHT issue a tropical storm or hurricane watch along parts of the NC coast Sunday...

Hurricane Maria will have impacts along the NC coast. Here's a look at the potential impacts late Tuesday into Thursday. The National Hurricane Center MIGHT issue a tropical storm or hurricane watch along parts...Read More

Hurricane Maria will have impacts along the NC coast. Here's a look at the potential impacts late Tuesday into Thursday. The National Hurricane Center MIGHT issue a tropical storm or hurricane watch along parts of the NC coast Sunday...